Introduction to Heat-Resistant Steels

Abstract

This chapter introduces the various topics included in the book, in subsequent chapters. As the research book assumes that the reader has graduatelevel materials science knowledge, this is not discussed in the introduction chapter here. Instead, the introduction focuses on different types of steels, including conventional heat-resistant steels, silicon-bearing high chromium heat-resistant steels and nitride-strengthened reduced activation heat-resistant steels. Topics relevant to service conditions and behaviour of steels follow, in thermal ageing, microstructural stability and creep. Finally, the hot deformation processing of steels is discussed. The chapter can be read independently of the rest of the book, but, with its wide referencing, it is also useful in assisting in reading the in-depth chapters that follow and being referred back to. Directly referring to later chapters and sections helps with the latter.